Some Medications May Ruin Teeth

Some Medications May Ruin Teeth

Written by Dentistry TodayTuesday, 13 August 2013 15:45

You may want to be careful about which medications you take.

New information indicates that certain medicines could lead to problems for your teeth.

Oral inhalers are used to aid breathing for asthma patients but the inhalers could have unintended negative effects. Studies from researchers in Australia and Scandinavia show that inhalers may actually raise the risk of developing cavities.

Inhalers with powder—something that supposedly adds flavor—are even worse for teeth because the residual powder may stay in the mouth for a while. That’s why it’s essential for people who use inhalers to maintain good oral hygiene. It’s also pivotal to rinse your mouth with water after utilizing an inhaler.

There are also some antibiotics that could adversely affect oral health. There are some medicines, like tetracycline, that may stain teeth or cause discoloration.

There are other antibiotics that may cause oral thrush, resulting in white spots in the mouth. Excessive usage of mouthwash may result in oral thrush.

Many antihistamines are effective in preventing hay fever, among other issues. The problem is that dry mouth is a common side effect of antihistamines. Swallowing then becomes harder, making it more difficult to rid the mouth of food debris and bacteria. The chances of developing decay or gum disease then go up.

Milk Essential to Fighting Tooth Decay

Milk Essential to Fighting Tooth Decay

Written by Dentistry TodayTuesday, 02 July 2013 15:24

A glass of milk after breakfast may do wonders for your oral health.

A new study shows that when milk is consumed after breakfast in the morning, the risk of developing tooth decay goes way down. The study indicates that drinking a small glass of milk serves to reduce the amount of plaque acids in the mouth by more than 50 percent.

The study was done by the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Illinois. To compile the results, 20 adults were provided with a bowl of cereal that was followed by a glass of milk, a glass of fruit juice or a glass of water. The acid levels were lower among the participants who had a glass of milk. The average pH numbers were 6.48 for milk drinkers, 6.02 for water and 5.83 for apple juice.

These results further stress the importance of one’s eating habits and the impact on his or her oral health. It’s essential to limit snacking because the mouth is exposed to plaque acids each time something is consumed. The bacteria released can attack enamel, making way for tooth decay or other problems.

Dental Implants Can Save Money, Boost Quality of Life

Dental Implants Can Save Money, Boost Quality of Life

Written by Dentistry TodayMonday, 08 July 2013 15:32

Dental implants may provide the best way to avoid emptying one’s bank account.

A new report in the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implantsdemonstrates the ways in which dental implants are a beneficial alternative when compared to conventional tooth replacement treatment.

The report stems from a comprehensive review of all studies published in the English language from 2000 though 2010. The total ended up being 14 studies on the matter.

There were numerous specific findings that came from the study. The first of which was that for single-tooth replacement, implant-based solutions were cheaper than traditional tooth-borne prostheses.

There were also higher initial costs for implant-borne solutions for patients with full dentures. The consensus, however, based on most studies was that dental implants are a long-term, cost-effective treatment option. For older edentulous patients, they were ok with paying for dental implants. There was also a movement for raising the overall level of quality of life based on oral health, which coincided with lower healthcare costs.

The goal of this study was to put all of the recent information on this matter into one study that could end up being the study of record on this matter. Based on the places in which the study appears, the goal has been achieved.